I am an elementary school nurse with a background in paramedicine and critical care. Just like any other (required!) vaccine for whooping cough, hepatitis, or diptheria, the science shows that covid vaccines are effective at preventing COVID infections in many, and preventing hospitalizations and death in all.

Once vaccines have been fully approved by the FDA for use in children, I would strongly encourage that students be required to be vaccinated for entry to Virginia public schools.  I don't believe that it is someone's "right" to put other people at risk with their own ignorance, and fear. I also think that anyone who chooses not to vaccinate themselves or their children isn't even being "selfish," they are simply undereducated about how the vaccine works. It is sad to me that people will listen to politicians espose opinions and not question a word, but when a scientist says that the science makes sense, people think it must be a conspiracy.